Providers
Nurse Practitioners & Physician Assitants
Julee Mathena, MS, FNP-CS
Ms. Mathena, a Registered Nurse, received her bachelor's degree from the University of Missouri - Columbia. With and interest in nursing education she attended Texas Woman's University-Houston and obtained a Master of Science in Nursing. She has taught and coordinated all levels of nursing education in several community college settings. With a continued interest in nursing she broadened her education by returning to Texas Woman's University-Houston post-graduate certificate program for nurse practitioners. She is a clinical nurse specialist and board certified as a FNP with the Certified Specialist credential.
Along with her teaching experience, Ms. Mathena brings several years as a nurse practitioner in urban and rural family practice settings. This background enables her to incorporate the patient's current medical/health problems into the scope of allergy and asthma.
Her practice philosophy reflects comprehensive patient education and care which encourages patient autonomy and responsibility. She tailors the prescribed treatment plan to each patient's unique qualities.
Julio Garza, P.A.-C
Mr. Garza, P.A.-C, joined Houston Allergy & Asthma Associates in the fall of 1999. He completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Physician Assistant studies at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston in August1999. He is a certified Physician Assistant.
While attending UTMB, Mr. Garza spent time in a variety of settings, including Allergy and Asthma, Dermatology, General Surgery and Family Practice. He also volunteered at Memorial Hermann Hospital as a Spanish/English patient translator.
Mr. Garza takes great pleasure in helping his allergy and asthma patients. He believes that patient education and a solid support system are the keys to successful treatment.
Mr. Garza is married and has two daughters.
Kristy Cooley-O'Brien, P.A.-C
Ms. Cooley-O’Brien re-joined Allergy & Asthma Associates in the summer of 2006. She initially joined our practice in the fall of 2000 after completing her Bachelor of Science in Physician Assistant studies from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas where she graduated with highest honors. Prior to this she completed her Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science graduating magna cum laude from Texas A & M University in 1996. She is a certified Physician Assistant.
Prior to re-joining Allergy & Asthma Associates she has gained additional experience both in the emergency medicine and private practice settings.
While attending UTMB, she spent time in a variety of settings including allergy and asthma, emergency medicine, pediatrics and community medicine.
Kristy enjoys working with patients of all ages. She is committed to providing quality care and establishing an open communication with her patients.
A native Houstonian, she is married with two children.
Kimberly Pengra, P.A.-C
Mrs. Kimberly Pengra PA-C joined Allergy & Asthma Associates in July 2011. She is a native to the Houston area, growing up in north Houston. She earned a Bachelor of Science from The University of Houston and completed her Masters of Physician Assistant Studies at The University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. She comes to our practice from Methodist Hospital Center for Orthopedic Surgery. While in PA school she spent time in practice with Allergy and Asthma, Family Medicine, and Pediatric Emergency Medicine. Kimberly is married and resides in the Houston Heights. She has been a patient of Allergy & Asthma Associates for over 15 years so her personal experience with asthma and allergies, immunotherapy and other available treatments helps her to relate and sympathize with allergy sufferers in Houston. Her practice philosophy reflects evidence based medicine tailored to individual patient needs, encouraging communication and teamwork to find treatment solutions that give patients the freedom to live and breathe well. Kimberly enjoys traveling, reading and spending time with friends.
Michael Flanagan, Ph.D, MS, P.A.-C
Mr. Flanagan joined Allergy & Asthma Associates in November 2009. He comes to the practice with over two years’ clinical experience and eleven years as a research scientist at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in Cincinnati, Ohio where he conducted vaccine research.
Prior to entering into his physician assistant studies, he received his Bachelor of Arts, Pre-Med/Biology from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois in 1980. Then he received his Ph.D. in Immunology from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa in 1987. He completed his Master of Science in Medicine degree from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan in 2006. He is a certified physician assistant by the National Commission on Certification of Physicians Assistants.
Mr. Flanagan takes great pleasure in educating patients about their allergy or asthma and in explaining the various treatment options available to them.
Mike is married and an avid runner so ask him about his last race or his goal for his next one.
Angelique Tijerina, P.A.-C
Ms. Tijerina joined Allergy & Asthma Associates in February 2010. She comes to the practice with over five years’ clinical experience in family medicine.
She completed her Master of Physician Assistant studies at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston in 2004. Prior to entering into physician assistant studies, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology with a Minor in Chemistry from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio in 2002. She is a certified physician assistant by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
Ms. Tijerina believes educating patients and their understanding enables them to take an active role in their own health care.
